WASHINGTON – In an attempt to protect the unborn by resolving the question of when life begins, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Sam Brownback, R-Kan., Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Jim DeMint, R-S.C., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Mel Martinez, R-Fla., John Thune, R-S.D., David Vitter, R-La., and George Voinovich, R-Ohio, have re-introduced the Life at Conception Act, legislation that declares that life begins at conception and the unborn to be “persons” under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.   

Sen. Roger Wicker, who also introduced the Life at Conception Act in the 110th Congress, said: “In Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court refused to define when life begins, thus delegating this determination to the legislative branch.  This legislation clearly defines that life begins at the moment of conception, a belief that is commonly held by most Americans and is something science has long proven.” 

Sen. Jim DeMint said, “We must defend innocent, unborn children and extend to them the same rights of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ enjoyed by every American, as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and protected by our Constitution.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe said, “Our government has both a moral and constitutional obligation to protect the sanctity of human life.  With Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress and a new Democratic President, we must fight twice as hard for the sanctity of life and promote our Life at Conception Act.”

Sen. Mel Martinez said, “This effort is about fostering a culture of life, where every life is considered sacred, every child is celebrated, and life at all stages is given the dignity that it deserves.”

Sen. John Thune said, “Unborn children, as distinct, unique human beings, are fully deserving of our society’s attention, provision, and care.  I believe this amendment would take a strong step toward achieving this goal.” 

Sen. David Vitter said, “As science continues to advance, the evidence that life begin at conception is becoming more and more irrefutable.  This bill is critical to the fight to protect the culture of life, especially as we face an administration and new Congress that seems determined to advance the agenda of a practice that a great number of Americans find abhorrent.”

In its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the court acknowledged that “if this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant’s case [i.e., “Roe”], of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life is then guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment.”